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Sunday, September 8, 2013

So last week the family and I went apple picking up at Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville. We had a wonderful time hiking on the mountain and picking apples and peaches, all while enjoying the beautiful mountain view. Once you have your fill of all the apple picking, hiking and hay rides, and you are ready to go home. There is a wondrous, mouth watering aroma that intoxicates you as you wait to check out; are the fresh, hot apple cider doughnuts that they have there.

We bought a dozen, and as soon as week got to the car we dove in. One each for my family of four, to hold us over until we get lunch. All that walking and the smell of those doughnuts made us hungry. There is something about a warm, sugary doughnut that just makes me happy. We were planning on saving the rest for when we get home, but traffic brought on the munchies and we were left with a sad state of affairs, no more doughnuts.

So I went on a search to find a recipe to replicate the doughnut goodness I was missing. Have I told you how much I love Pinterest? Where else is there a greater concentration of anything you need to find. Anyway, I found a recipe from, Will Cook For Friends, that seemed most like what I wanted to make.

One thing I was worried about when making doughnuts is that most recipes call for them to be fried in shortening, not something I use. So I was relieved that she was able to use canola oil to cook my doughnuts. The recipe is really easy but a lot of waiting, because the dough needs to be chilled. The results were great, everything a doughnut should be. My family, were extremely happy with the outcome as well.

In a medium saucepan bring apple cider to a boil over medium high heat. Then reduce heat to medium low and reduce to about a 1/4 cup. This should take about 25-30 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Wisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spice in a bowl. Set aside.

In bowl of mixer with paddle attachment beat butter and sugars until smooth. Add eggs one at a time until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Reduce mixer to low and add buttermilk and apple cider. Mix in flour, just until combined and ball starts to form.

Prep to two cookie sheets with parchment paper and dust with flour. Spread dough on cookie sheet, dust with flour and top with parchment paper. Using the second cookie sheet and flatten the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness.

Chill in freezer for 30 minutes. Once dough is chilled use a doughnut cutter or in my case a round cookie cutter and a cake icing tip (you gotta make it work with what you got). Place on second cookie sheet, and re roll any extra dough to continue cutting out doughnuts. When you are done, place back in freezer for another 20-30 minutes.

At this time heat your oil. You need about 3 inches of oil to ensure that you can flip the doughnuts. Heat oil to 350 degrees using a thermometer to maintain proper heat. Remove doughnuts from the freezer and place wire rack over a towel lined cookie sheet for draining.

Cook doughnuts 3 or 4 at a time to not lower the temp of the oil. Cook for about 1 minute on the first side and 40-50 second on the second using a chopstick or slotted spoon to turn. Remove form oil with slotted spoon to wire rack to cool for 30 seconds and move to the cinnamon sugar mixture. Turn to coat and move back to wire rack.

You can let them cool for a minute or two before enjoying to ensure you don't burn your mouth or just dive on in. They are worth the scorched tongue and fingers. I hope enjoy these fall flavored treat with a warm cup of cider and whatever you like to enjoy doughnuts with. Be blessed and enjoy.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

I know I've been MIA for a while, blame it on crazy busy schedules and lack of inspiration. But I promise I will do better. There will be some changes coming soon, thinking of changing the designs some. With all that being said, I have missed this process. Trying recipes, crafts and writing have always been fun for me so I'm happy to be back at it.

This summer has flown by and I can't believe it is over already. I had a very low key summer; lots of hanging with family and friends. But I am ready to get back into the routine of the school year. September is here and with it brings some of my favorite things football, changing of the season and fall flavors.

To celebrate the end of the summer my family and I went apple picking in the beautiful mountains of Charlottesville, at Carter Mountain Orchard. We had a wonderful day roaming around picking peaches and apples and taking in the sites. We went pretty early in the season for some of the apple varieties, but were still able to get quite a bit of apples. They still even had peaches to pick. My four year old said she could see the whole world from up there.

Oh, and lets not forget about the apple cider doughnuts. They were so good in fact that they didn't even make it home. I think that I am going have to make some of my own and post for you guys. With all the apples and peaches I want to try my hand at canning and of course some pies. I hope you enjoy what I have planned. Be blessed and enjoy.

Welcome

My name is Tameka, I am a full time mom of 2 beautiful children and wife to an amazing man. I love cooking and baking for my family. I am devoloping and experimenting new recipes for my new adventure Downing Delectables, a home-based baking business I am starting. So join me as I learn my way through the blog world.